Today we know the Detroit Gems, founded by the owner of a jewelry store, as the L.A. Lakers. The Lakers got their start in 1946 as the Detroit Gems, with a first year record of 4-40.

In 1947, for $15,000, the Detroit Gems were bought by two businessmen from Minneapolis. The question was what to name the Minneapolis team - naturally a naming contest in the the state called the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" determined that the Gems would be named the Lakers.

After moving to Minneapolis, and acquiring George Mikan, the Lakers went on to a string of successful seasons, winning 6 championships in the next 7 years. After George Mikan retired in 1956 the Lakers fell on hard times and changed ownership in 1957, and in 1960 moved to Los Angeles. The rest, as they say, is history.